Bunnie Hartswick, 77, gently rocked a baby boy to sleep as a preschooler tried unsuccessfully to place a magician's hat on her head.

Hartswick is one of a growing number of older adults who is being paired with young children in the university's childcare centers. The Penn State Early Childhood Education Intergenerational Program, a nonprofit organization operated by Penn State's department of human development and family studies, is developing a curriculum to foster relationships between children and seniors.

"I like to have fun with the little kids. It's a joy to see how these little kids are being raised," Hartswick said. "It's a nice diversion from adults. I get kind of tired of adults."

On the morning she was volunteering, children's artwork, streamers, finger paint and pictures of the children decorated the hallways of the Bennett Family Center as the sounds of children's laughter and crying filled the room.

"If the seniors like being with children, this is just another option to be connected to the community," said Matthew Kaplan, associate professor of agricultural and extension education. "Providing a service to other people makes you less likely to dwell on your own problems; it helps you funnel your energy in a positive way."

The university's childcare facilities care for the children of university students, faculty and staff. Activities include gardening, art, walks, baby rocking, reading, crafts, puppetry and long-term care for the children.

"It's amazing how much children and older adults have in common," Kaplan said.

The aim of the program is to teach understanding, compassion and life skills in a fun and friendly atmosphere.

"No matter how tired you are at the end of the day, you always leave smiling," Laura Swanser, supervising teacher for the infant to 3-year-old class, said.

The seniors are asked to volunteer their time anywhere from twice a week to twice a month.

"This is not for any one kind of senior. Some want daily commitment and others want less interaction," said Kaplan.

The project is a partnership between childcare programs, Penn State Cooperative Extension, the Penn State Gerontology Center and the nonprofit Community Academy for Lifelong Learning. It is funded by the Kellogg Leadership for Institutional Change, and it received a state land grant of $4,000, which pays for the program's part-time coordinator.

The program has 138 children and meets the teacher-to-student ratio standards set by the National Association for Education of Young Children, with the average ratio being one adult for every four children. Student interns and work-study assistants also are involved.

Kaplan said the program's coordinators are working to develop a statewide professional workshop for early childhood professionals who are interested in establishing similar intergenerational initiatives.

The program is trying to gather more people 55 years and older who are willing to volunteer their time to work with children. Program Coordinator Lydia Hanhardt said the center is eager to have older adults actively involved in the lives of young children.

"All human beings have an internal instinct to be needed," Kaplan said. "Here is a way to fulfill that need."